Monday 7-9-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

Francisco Lindor is setting a blistering offensive pace for the Cleveland Indians this season, although the Cincinnati Reds have witnessed the same thing pretty much every time they have crossed paths with the 24-year-old shortstop. The three-time All-Star attempts to bounce back from a rare off-day when the Indians host the opener of a three-game interleague series Monday against the intrastate-rival Reds.

Lindor entered Sunday batting .458 this month and having scored at least one run in seven straight games to boost his total to a major league-best 79, but neither he (0-for-4) nor Cleveland (five hits) could get much going against Oakland in a 6-0 setback in the rubber match of their three-game set. His last game notwithstanding, the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 draft has been nearly as good in 11 career contests versus the Reds, hitting .412 with five doubles, two homers and seven RBIs. Despite dropping two in a row to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend and sitting in the basement of the National League Central, Cincinnati is 17-8 over its last 25 contests since falling a season-high 21 games below .500 on June 9. Billy Hamilton is coming off a brilliant series against the Cubs in which he went 7-for-10 with two walks, four runs scored and five stolen bases.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (3-1, 5.08 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (7-3, 3.11)

DeSclafani started fast but failed to factor in the decision Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, surrendering five runs and six hits - three homers - over 5 1/3 innings. The native of New Jersey has permitted nine earned runs over 11 2/3 frames in his last two outings after yielding a total of six across 17 innings during his three-game winning streak in mid-June. DeSclafani made both of his career starts versus Cleveland in 2015, going 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA.

Clevinger notched his third victory in four outings on July 1 at Oakland, permitting three runs and eight hits in six frames while not giving up a homer for the third straight time. The 27-year-old Citadel product is only 11 2/3 innings shy of last season's career high of 121 2/3 and owns a 5-1 record and 2.31 ERA when he has six or more days of rest between starts. Clevinger came away with a no-decision in his major-league debut against Cincinnati in 2016 after yielding four runs across 5 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lindor was one of five Indians named to the American League All-Star team on Sunday, joining RHPs Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, OF Michael Brantley and 3B Jose Ramirez.

2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett and 3B Eugenio Suarez received their first nods to the Midsummer Classic on Sunday, joining teammate and six-time All-Star 1B Joey Votto.

3. Cincinnati's .317 winning percentage at Progressive Field is the club's lowest at any current road ballpark (minimum of 40 games).

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Reds 4

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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers carry loads of momentum into an eight-game road trip leading into the All-Star break, beginning with the first of three games at the Miami Marlins on Monday. All-Star snub Jesus Aguilar slugged two home runs to move into a tie for the National League lead with 22 as the Brewers topped the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on Sunday to finish a 6-1 homestand.

While Aguilar did not make the All-Star squad for the NL, teammates Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain did. Yelich, who spent his first five seasons with the Marlins before being traded to Milwaukee this offseason, is returning to Miami for the first time since the deal. His former team is coming off an impressive showing in a 10-2 win at Washington on Sunday, piling up a season-high 22 hits - including a career-high five by first-time All-Star J.T. Realmuto - to avoid a four-game sweep. Realmuto has a double and a single in five career at-bats against Chase Anderson, who starts the series opener for the Brewers opposite Jose Urena.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (6-6, 3.99 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (2-9, 4.18)

Anderson has found the groove that enabled him to sport a sub-3.00 ERA last year, allowing three runs on seven hits in 17 1/3 innings over his last three starts. He has walked just two batters over the past two outings after issuing 11 free passes through the previous four starts. The 30-year-old allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings to defeat the Marlins at home in April and is 3-2 with a 4.04 ERA in six career matchups.

Urena has two scoreless outings in his last three starts after blanking Tampa Bay over five frames Wednesday. He owns a solid 3.88 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 10 starts at home but is 0-7 at Marlins Park. For his career, the 26-year-old sports an odd split of 7-21 with a 4.02 ERA at home and 14-9, 5.28 on the road.

WALK-OFFS

1. Aguilar, who is on the "Final Vote" ballot and could still be selected as the NL's last All-Star player, is 5-for-11 with three home runs, one double and seven RBIs over his last three games.

2. Realmuto is 13-for-33 in July.

3. Cain (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday while RHP Aaron Wilkerson was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Marlins 3

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Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The Boston Red Sox own the best record in baseball and just finished off a nine-game road trip with six consecutive victories. The Red Sox will play their final seven games before the All-Star break at home, beginning when the Texas Rangers visit for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Boston, which had five players named to the American League All-Star team on Sunday, pounded out an average of 8.3 runs over the last six games as the offense got big contributions from the likes of Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts. Andrew Benintendi got off to a bit of a slow start on the trip but picked things up in Kansas City over the weekend, going 8-for-11 with seven runs scored in the series and a recording a stretch of 11 straight appearances reaching base before striking out in his final at-bat on Sunday. The Rangers are sitting in last place in the American League West but began their road trip by earning a split of a four-game series at Detroit, capped by a 3-0 victory on Sunday. Texas will try to tame Benintendi and the Boston offense with veteran left-hander Mike Minor on Monday while the Red Sox send lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (6-4, 4.63 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (10-3, 3.84)

Minor allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts and is 2-0 in that span. The Vanderbilt product was trying to make it three straight wins on Wednesday but had to settle for a no-decision against Houston after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings. Minor earned a win at home over Boston on May 3, when he yielded three runs and seven hits in six frames.

Rodriguez turned in one of his best outings of the season on Wednesday, scattering three hits across six scoreless innings and striking out six to earn a win at Washington. The Venezuela native lost his previous two starts while serving up a total of 10 runs - nine earned - and 14 hits in 10 innings against Seattle and the New York Yankees. Rodriguez struck out a season-high 10 at Texas on May 5 but was charged with five runs in six innings and did not factor in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers RF Shin-Soo Choo, who was selected to the AL All-Star team as a reserve, set a franchise record by reaching base in his 47th straight game on Sunday.

2. Boston placed LHP Brian Johnson (hip) and C Christian Vazquez (finger) on the 10-day DL Sunday.

3. Texas acquired OF Austin Jackson and RHPs Cory Gearrin and Jason Bahr from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Rangers 3

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Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a pair of shutouts and continue to keep themselves around the .500 mark in the American League East thanks in large part to the pitching staff. That staff will try to continue posting zeros when the Rays host the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Nathan Eovaldi took a perfect game into the seventh inning in Sundays 7-0 triumph over the New York Mets, one day after Blake Snell dominated in a 3-0 victory. Tampa Bay's staff allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of the last 12 games and is set to get a boost on Monday, when opening day starter Chris Archer rejoins the rotation after over a month on the disabled list. Archer will be taking on a Detroit offense that scored three or fewer runs in 13 of the last 18 contests and is coming off a 3-0 loss at home to the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The Tigers, who will send veteran Francisco Liriano to the mound on Monday, close the first half with a six-game road trip through Tampa Bay and Houston.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-5, 4.03 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (3-4, 4.24)

Liriano is winless in his last eight starts and suffered the loss in each of the last four while struggling with his control. The Dominican Republic native issued a season-high five walks over six innings at the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and was charged with three runs, marking the seventh consecutive start in which he walked at least three. Liriano made five appearances - four starts - against Tampa Bay last season and went 1-1 with a 6.61 ERA and 16 walks in 16 1/3 total innings.

Archer is making his return to the rotation following over a month on the disabled list with an abdominal strain and is expected to be limited to 75 pitches. The North Carolina native was cruising before going down and allowed a total of three runs in his last four starts, spanning 23 2/3 innings. Archer was a tough-luck loser at Detroit on May 1, when he allowed two runs and six hits in six innings but could not get any support in a game Tampa Bay lost 2-1.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier (back tightness) sat out Sunday but could be back in the lineup on Monday.

2. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos (wrist) was scratched from the lineup on Sunday and is day-to-day.

3. Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos and Detroit RHP Joe Jimenez were selected to the AL All-Star team on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Tigers 1

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New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The Baltimore Orioles are losers of six straight and 13 of their last 14 as they get set to host the powerhouse New York Yankees in a traditional doubleheader on Monday. The Orioles own the worst record in the majors at 24-65 and are in the midst of a stretch of 14 games in 13 days heading into the All-Star break.

Baltimore averaged two runs during its just-completed six-game road trip and is reportedly fielding offers for the team's best hitter and lone All-Star, shortstop Manny Machado. Machado recorded two of the team's seven hits during Sunday's 10-1 loss at Minnesota and is batting .313 with 21 homers despite dealing with the trade rumors. The Yankees have plenty of players capable of providing instant offense in their lineup but managed to avoid a series loss on Sunday by playing small ball, with a sacrifice bunt putting a runner in scoring position ahead of Brett Gardner's RBI single in the 10th inning of a 2-1 win at Toronto. New York remains two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East and will send CC Sabathia and Luis Cessa to the mound on Monday opposite righties Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Ramirez in a straight doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m.


TV: 7:35 p.m, ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Cessa (0-1, 5.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (0-2, 2.51)

New York is expected to recall Cessa to make a spot start in the nightcap, which will mark his first appearance in the majors since a loss at Philadelphia on June 27. The 26-year-old surrendered three runs and five hits over three innings against the Phillies in his first start among five major league appearances this season. Cessa tossed a perfect inning of relief against Baltimore in his season debut on April 7, striking out a pair.

Ramirez is making his third career major league start and fourth appearance after yielding only one hit in five innings at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 24-year-old, who worked five scoreless innings of relief in his previous appearance on June 28, still managed to get saddled with the loss against the Phillies while being charged with two runs - one earned. Ramirez went 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA for Triple-A Norfolk this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees LH Aroldis Chapman (knee tendinitis) - named to the AL All-Star team with teammates RF Aaron Judge, RHP Luis Severino and 2B Gleyber Torres - left Saturday's game and was not used in a save situation on Sunday.

2. Baltimore RHP Alex Cobb left in the sixth inning on Sunday with an apparent injury to his throwing hand.

3. New York OF Aaron Hicks (left leg) was held out of the lineup on Sunday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Yankees 4

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The New York Mets have been shut out in back-to-back contests for the second time this season and own a disastrous 3-17 mark in their last 20 contests at Citi Field. The uphill climb for the Mets is a steep one on Monday as they encounter two stingy pitchers in a doubleheader to begin a four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia's Zach Eflin enters the opener with a 6-0 mark and 1.91 ERA in his last six outings, while fellow right-hander Aaron Nola - the probable starter for the nightcap - is 5-0 in his last seven trips to the mound. The surging Phillies saw their six-game winning streak halted in Pittsburgh on Sunday, with Nick Williams going deep in a 4-1 setback to mark the second time he's homered in the last four games. Brandon Nimmo led off the seventh inning with a single in Sunday's 9-0 setback to Tampa Bay to give him four hits to go along with six walks and four runs scored in his last five games. The Mets will look to channel the success they had against the Phillies when the National League East rivals met earlier this season, winning three of four contests after being rained out on April 2 and again on May 12.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (11-2, 2.41 ERA) vs. Mets RH Corey Oswalt (0-1, 7.94)

Nola recorded his third win in as many trips to the mound and 14th quality start in his 16 outings on Wednesday after allowing one run in seven innings of a 4-1 triumph over Baltimore. The 25-year-old turned in a pretty strong outing against the Mets on May 13, yielding Yoenis Cespedes' solo homer as the lone run permitted in six frames of a 4-2 victory. Michael Conforto (3-for-10) has also gone deep against Nola and Asdrubal Cabrera is 4-for-11, but the hurler has flustered Devin Mesoraco (0-for-8).

Oswalt has yet to venture past four innings in either one of two starts with the Mets, as he yielded six runs on as many hits in 2 2/3 frames of an 8-2 setback at Miami on June 29 before allowing two runs in four innings at Toronto on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has permitted just 13 hits in his three outings this season, although three of those have left the park. Oswalt will be making his first start at Citi Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. NL East-leading Philadelphia is just 15-17 against division representatives.

2. New York is mired in a 14-series stretch without winning one.

3. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera went 5-for-13 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs scored in his last three games after going 2-for-37 with nine strikeouts in his previous nine.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Mets 2

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Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Royals vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

After picking on one last-place team over the weekend, the Minnesota Twins begin a new week looking to do the same when they host the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Monday night. The Twins outscored the hapless Baltimore Orioles by a 26-9 margin in sweeping four straight, capped by Sunday's 10-1 win.

Brian Dozier slugged a three-run homer to pace an 11-hit attack for Minnesota, which is one victory shy of matching a season-high five-game winning streak accomplished in May. The Royals (25-64) are plummeting in the other direction with nine consecutive losses, which is tied for their longest slide of the year. They gave up 32 runs in dropping three straight to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend and enter a six-game road trip just one game better than Baltimore (24-65) for the worst record in the majors. Kansas City gives the ball to left-hander Danny Duffy in the series opener opposite Minnesota right-hander Jose Berrios, who was named as the Twins' lone All-Star Game representative Sunday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (4-8, 5.19 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-7, 3.54)

Duffy will take a second crack at career win No. 50 after he faltered in his first attempt while allowing six runs in six innings of a loss to Cleveland. He gave up one run and seven hits across 12 innings with 14 strikeouts over his previous two outings. The 29-year-old limited the Twins to one run in six frames in a no-decision at home May 29.

Berrios has lost his last two starts, although he was solid at Milwaukee on Wednesday when he threw seven innings of three-run ball. He has served up five home runs in 11 1/3 innings during the two-game skid. The Puerto Rico native has been knocked around in his career by the Royals, who have gotten to him for 19 runs and 35 hits in 25 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 2B Whit Merrifield went 5-for-5 in Sunday's loss and has hit safely in 10 straight.

2. Twins 1B Joe Mauer has 414 career doubles, tied with Kirby Puckett for the franchise record.

3. Kansas City C Salvador Perez was selected to his sixth straight All-Star Game.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Royals 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The Oakland Athletics can attribute the bulk of their 10-game deficit in the American League West to their inability to win inside their division, especially versus the Houston Astros. The surging Athletics hope the momentum they have generated over the last three-plus weeks will lead to some progress in the standings starting on Monday, when they visit Houston for the opener of a four-game series.

Oakland improved to 6-0-1 over its last seven sets following Sunday's 6-0 victory at Cleveland and has won 16 of its last 20 contests since being swept by Houston from June 12-14. Since winning 8-1 in the first of their nine meetings with the Astros this season on April 27, the Athletics have been outscored 69-20 while dropping the next eight to the AL West leaders - contributing greatly to Oakland's dismal 12-25 division record. The Astros own a 27-10 mark inside the West - the best record for any major-league team against its own division - and are coming off a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox that completed the first leg of their 11-game homestand heading into the All-Star break. Houston settled for a 2-1 triumph on Sunday after combining for 23 runs and 30 hits in its previous two games and has won six in a row overall, including three by one run.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Frankie Montas (4-2, 3.83 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.70)

Montas has cooled off after going 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA over his first five starts of the season, surrendering a total of nine runs and 17 hits over 8 2/3 innings since. The 25-year-old Dominican did not allow a homer for the third straight outing on July 1 against Cleveland but suffered a defeat anyway after yielding three runs in 5 2/3 frames. Montas' only loss during his strong start came against Houston on June 14, when he was tagged for seven runs - five earned - over 5 1/3 innings.

Cole escaped with a no-decision Wednesday at Texas after surrendering four runs and eight hits while registering seven strikeouts in five innings. The 2015 All-Star has failed to work more than five frames in two of his last three starts - he lasted at least six in 14 of his first 15 turns - and has issued 19 walks over his last seven outings to match the total from his first 11 efforts. Cole was sharp in a win at Oakland on May 9, permitting one run while striking out nine over six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros DH Evan Gattis, who has driven in a major league-best 55 runs since May 12, went 5-for-12 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a three-game sweep in Oakland last month.

2. Oakland is the only team in the majors that has yet to lose when leading after seven innings (34-0).

3. Houston went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position Sunday after going 14-for-30 in those situations over its previous two contests.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Athletics 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers started the month with four consecutive victories but began their seven-game road trip by losing two of three to the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers hope to exact revenge in the second installment of the Freeway Series next weekend at home but first must deal with the San Diego Padres, against whom they open a four-game series Monday.

Yasiel Puig staked the Dodgers to an early lead Sunday with a three-run homer, but Los Angeles was unable to protect it and dropped a 4-3 decision in which it produced only five hits. Matt Kemp notched one of them and is 11-for-22 with two homers, 10 RBIs and five runs scored in six games this month. San Diego began July much differently than the Dodgers, losing five of its first six contests, but enters the series on a positive note after outlasting Arizona 4-3 in 16 innings on Sunday to earn a split of their four-game set. Manuel Margot registered a career-high five of the Padres' 13 hits, but Wil Myers provided the big blow - a solo homer in the 16th that gave him four blasts and five RBIs over his last two contests and San Diego its fourth win in 14 games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2-4, 2.86 ERA) vs. Padres RH Luis Perdomo (1-2, 6.86)

Kershaw has allowed fewer than three runs in each of his last five starts but has recorded just one victory in that span, a triumph over Pittsburgh on Tuesday in which he gave up two on four hits over six innings. In fact, the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, who landed on the disabled list twice during that stretch, has given up more than three runs only once in his 11 turns this season. The 30-year-old Kershaw is 17-6 with four complete games, one shutout and a 1.94 ERA in 32 career starts against San Diego.

Perdomo returned to the Padres' rotation Wednesday after a stint in the minors that lasted two-plus months and yielded two runs on four hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Oakland. It was the longest outing in the majors this season for the 25-year-old Dominican, who went 6-2 with one complete game and a 3.10 ERA in 11 turns for Triple-A El Paso before rejoining San Diego. Perdomo fell to 1-5 with a ghastly 9.55 ERA in eight games (five starts) against Los Angeles after surrendering nine runs (seven earned) and 10 hits over three innings on April 18.

WALK-OFFS

1. Puig, who has gone deep in back-to-back games, exited Sunday's setback with a strained oblique suffered on a swing in the fifth inning.

2. The Padres on Sunday optioned RHP Kazuhisa Makita to El Paso, sent OF Matt Szczur outright to the Chihuahuas and recalled RHP Miguel Diaz from Double-A San Antonio.

3. Los Angeles will be represented in the All-Star Game by OF Matt Kemp and RHP Kenley Jansen while LHP Brad Hand will attend the event on behalf of San Diego.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Padres 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 07-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/08/2018

The surging Chicago Cubs head west for the week with first place in the National League Central within reach. The Cubs kick off a six-game West Coast trip that will take them into the All-Star break when they begin a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.


The Cubs have won nine of their last 11 contests to move a season-high 15 games above .500, but they still trail Milwaukee by 1 1/2 in the NL Central. Each of Chicago's last nine victories have been of the comeback variety - including a 6-5 triumph in 10 innings Sunday against Cincinnati - and the club is tied for the major-league lead with 28 such wins. The Giants hit .167 as a team and scored a total of 10 runs over a six-game stretch before erupting for 17 hits in a 13-8 victory over visiting St. Louis on Sunday. HIghly touted prospect Steven Duggar contributed two hits in his major-league debut while batting leadoff and playing center field.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (5-8, 4.27 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (3-5, 3.92)

Hendricks has lost five of his last six decisions and posted a 6.29 ERA over his last seven outings. The 28-year-old relies on pinpoint command and has struggled to locate his pitches recently, issuing 18 walks in five turns last month before limiting the number to one free pass over five innings in a no-decision against Detroit on Tuesday. Hendricks is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA in six career starts versus San Francisco.

Suarez has posted a 2.10 ERA over his last five starts, allowing fewer than three runs in each, but has recorded only one win over that stretch. The 25-year-old rookie struck out six and gave up one run over seven frames Wednesday at Colorado but was on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision. Suarez is 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA in six home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B Javier Baez, who was named a starter for his first All-Star Game on Sunday, is 31-for-72 with 11 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 19 games.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt, a candidate for the All-Star Final Vote, is 5-for-13 with a homer versus Hendricks.

3. Chicago LF Kyle Schwarber is 9-for-23 during his seven-game hitting streak while C Willson Contreras has gone 11-for-22 during his six-game run.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Giants 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free Oakland/Houston Over 8½ Runs

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Free Selection from Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Monday, July 9, 2018



7/09 04:10 PM PT / 7:10 PM ET

MLB (913) TEXAS RANGERS VS (914) BOSTON RED SOX

Take: OVER

Reason: Your free play for Monday, July 9, 2018 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox. Your free play is on the OVER.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Allen Sports

Monday's Free Selection is on the Cincinnati Reds

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR MONDAY: Take MILWAUKEE/MIAMI OVER the total of 7½ runs

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Totals4U

Monday's Free Selection: Cincinnati/Cleveland under 9 1/2